Imperialism Nature and Causes.

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2Forms of ImperialismPeoples of European descent, including Russians and North Americans, created colonial settlements, or “neo-Europes,” displacing or assimilating indigenous peoples.

3Forms of ImperialismEuropean states and commercial firms established considerable economic domination in certain areas, notably Latin America and China, while Japan and the United States also participated in this economic expansionism.

4Forms of ImperialismIn the later 19th century, European states embarked on the “new imperialism” or the competitive race to establish political as well as economic control over previously uncolonized regions of Africa and Asia.

5Meiji Restoration 1889 – Meiji ConstitutionModeled after German ConstitutionAll citizens equal before the lawEstablished parliament with limited powersMaintained Emperor with autocratic powersLimited suffrage to male property ownersThe goal was not to bring democracy, but to unite Japan

6Meiji Economic Reform Government improved and added to infrastructureEncouraged Western business practicesSent advisors overseas to learnRecognized need to industrializePromoted cooperation, not competition (as in America)Zaibatsu – large financial and industrial corporations that concentrated many business forms into one company dominated by a single family

7Social ChangesEncouraged Western education model and content, but loyalty to family and Emperor were emphasizedFree to choose occupation, but class distinction still held onWomen remained second-class citizens

8Japan as Imperialist NationWhy would Japan be motivated to strengthen its military, one of the key factors in its economic development?

9British Rule in IndiaParliament, as the British governing body, made all legislation for the area and was the ultimate authorityA Viceroy was appointed to oversee affairs in IndiaBritish civil servants held all top positionsBritish law and government was the norm throughout the region

10Political Impact of British Rule on IndiaThe implementation of British law throughout the region served to unite and mold the nation of IndiaGovernment became an avenue of advance for some educated Indians in that the British made use of Indians as lower level civil servants and sepoysAttempted to promote Indian democratic values with the founding of the Indian National Congress

11Economic Impact of British RuleAfter the Sepoy Rebellion, the British spent immense sums of money to develop India economically – What would be their motivation in doing so?Built and improved India’s infrastructure: the British improved roads, built railroads and telegraph systems, modernized ports and sewer systemsThis helped improve trade and transportation between India and BritainAlso aided England in controlling the colonyForced high taxes on Indians to support army there

12Economic Impact of British RuleExploited the Indians economically and kept it from modernizing and industrializingIndians were made to trade only with England and buy the low-cost British textiles; served to destroy India’s cottage industry & impoverished the Indian countryside especiallyIn order to pay for these goods, many Indians (zamindars – used as local revenue collectors and eventually became large landowners through peasant forfeiture) and British landowners turned to growing cash crops (e.g. cotton, jute) that could be sold on the world marketThis meant periodic famines and food shortages throughout India

13Social Effects in IndiaImproved health care and infrastructure led to a reduction in disease and the death rate. This led to the beginnings of a population explosion.The changes caused by the slow erosion of the cottage industries as well as the population growth led to urbanization. Many young Indians sought job opportunities in the large port cities of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.This also led to the slow erosion of the caste system as caste was harder to identify in cities.

14Social Effects in IndiaThe British allowed for increased educational opportunities for wealthy Hindus and Muslims.The schools, however, emphasized British culture and the English language.English became the common language and further served to unite the region.All of these changes meant the growth of a small, educated middle class.British racial attitudes ensured that Indians would always be considered less than equal to a British citizen.

15Imperialism“The more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race. … If there be a God, I think what he would like me to do is to paint as much of the map of Africa British red as possible.”Cecil Rhodes